Thousands face new joint replacements

As many as 2,000 patients face major surgery following fears that they were given faulty hip and shoulder replacements.

Hospitals have been told to trace everyone fitted with a particular type of hip and shoulder implant between 1990 and 1999 amid concerns that they may be in danger of coming loose or causing fractures.

Once traced, the patients will have X-rays to check the replacement joint and may have to have repeat operations - which are riskier and tend to be less successful than the original surgery.

The Medical Devices Agency has issued an 'alert notice' to all hospitals with concerns about plastic components in joints manufactured by Leeds-based DePuy International.

The company has said it will pay for the recall and the X-ray checks as well as any repeat surgery. A repeat hip replacement operation costs up to £10,000 and the total bill could run into millions. The components are used to cushion the artificial joint which fits into the hip or shoulder.

It is thought oxygen in the sterilisation process made the plastic more brittle.

The problem emerged when surgeons noticed that patients who had been fitted with the faulty joints were returning for 'revision' operations sooner than expected because the joint had worn out.

Dr Sheila Adam, deputy chief medical officer, said surgeons would need to check their records to see if they had used the components.

The relevant patients would then be recalled, but she urged those who have recently undergone hip and shoulder replacements not to worry.

'If they do not hear from the hospital that fitted their hip and shoulder implant they should have no cause for concern.'